Mom’s German Meatballs
Description
These hearty meatballs are made with ground beef, eggs, and aromatic garlic, then browned and simmered in a rich, tangy sauce. The dish combines the comfort of classic meatballs with the depth of a slow-cooked tomato and vinegar gravy. Perfectly paired with mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta, this recipe is a satisfying family favorite.Directions
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Slice the garlic and place it in a glass. Pour 2 tablespoons of boiling water over the garlic.
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Mash the garlic well, then add 2 more tablespoons of boiling water.
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Strain the mixture through a kitchen towel, saving only the liquid.
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In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, eggs, salt, mustard seed, celery seed, pepper, 3 tablespoons of ketchup, the garlic liquid, and the diced onion.
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Shape the mixture into balls about the size of a large egg.
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Roll the meatballs in flour until well coated.
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Melt enough fat in a heavy skillet or cast iron pot to create a layer about 1/2 inch deep.
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Brown the meatballs in the hot fat.
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Remove the meatballs and pour off all but 4 tablespoons of the fat.
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Add 1 quart of water and 1 cup of ketchup to the reserved fat in the pot.
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In a small bowl, make a paste with the 1 tablespoon of flour, 4 tablespoons of cornstarch, vinegar, sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, and pepper. Mix in enough water to achieve a thin cream consistency.
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Once the water and ketchup mixture is warm, slowly add the flour paste while stirring constantly to avoid lumps, until well absorbed.
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Cook gently until the sauce is slightly thickened.
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Place the meatballs back into the pan or an oven-proof roaster, ensuring they are covered with the sauce.
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Cover the pan and bake in a hot oven for 1 hour.
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Serve with mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4 servings
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 450kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 25g39%
- Saturated Fat 10g50%
- Cholesterol 120mg40%
- Sodium 800mg34%
- Total Carbohydrate 20g7%
- Dietary Fiber 1g4%
- Sugars 10g
- Protein 35g70%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
meatballs, beef, german, braised, tomato sauce, comfort food, dinner, family meal, ground beef, mustard, garlic, braising, skillet, oven, main course
